Summary of Transport Canada Small Vessel Regulations

On April 29, 2010, Transport Canada updated the Small Vessel Regulations with changes that reflect current minimum practices in the paddling community. The basic standards for Human-Powered Pleasure Craft have not changed however, there are changes that impact many instructors, guides, trip leaders, clubs, and municipalities in Canada. The biggest change pertains to “guided excursions” for canoes and kayaks.

The Small Vessel Regulations define a guided excursion as “a non-competitive outdoor recreational activity or excursion led by a person in charge of the activity or excursion during which the participants use a human-powered vessel.”

If you are teaching a course, leading or guiding a trip or on the water in any type of leadership position (volunteer or paid), you are classified as being on a “guided excursion” and thus fall under these updated regulations.

Guided Excursion Definition

A guide, as defined in the regulations, includes:

• Paddle Canada Instructors,
• trip guides,
• school teachers,
• paddling club volunteers,
• Scout and Girl Guide leaders,
• church group leaders,
• kids camp staff, and
• outfitters or any commercial or non-profit organized group on the water.

You are not classified as being on a “guided excursion” if you are on the water with family or close friends where you are not looked upon as the leader, guide or instructor.

These regulations bring equipment and responsibilities for leaders which are summarized below.

Required Equipment

Craft are required to carry the following equipment:

• one lifejacket/PFD for each person on board (must be worn),
• one buoyant heaving line at least 15 metres (50 feet) long,
• a bailer or a manual bilge pump, except on sit-on-top kayaks and stand up paddleboards,
• a pealess whistle or other sound-signalling appliance that meets the requirements of the Collision Regulations,
• a watertight flashlight or navigation lights (between sundown and sunrise, or in low visibility situations such as fog or blizzard),
• a magnetic compass if the watercraft is navigating out of sight of navigation markers, and
• a helmet of an appropriate size must be worn on Class III waters or above. (Paddle Canada requires a helmet in Class II)

First Aid Kit

Leaders on the water are required to carry a waterproof first aid kit.

A first aid kit required by the regulations must be packed in a waterproof case and can either be purchased or assembled yourself. See an official list of required supplies that must be included.

Helmets and Lifejackets

Both Paddle Canada and Transport Canada require all Instructors and participants to wear a lifejacket/PFD on all courses except when stand up paddleboarding in the surf zone or when a program is run in a supervised pool setting where it is optional. Paddle Canada requires that helmets be worn on all moving water rated Class II and above, as well as all Paddle Canada River Kayak courses run on moving water of any class.

Dealing with Cold Water

During any guided excursion taking place on cold water (less than 15 ºC), the leader is responsible for having an appropriate plan and/or equipment to rewarm any participant who gets wet.

Appropriate plans for cold-water immersion could include:

• ensuring participants wear wetsuits or drysuits,
• carrying extra dry clothing in a waterproof container,
• carrying fire-making materials and a portable shelter, or
• staying close to a heated building which the group can access.

Safety Briefing

On all guided excursions and courses, the leader responsible must give a safety briefing to all participants before the start.

An appropriate safety briefing is dependent upon the location, but should include:

• safe paddling practices,
• basic rescue procedures,
• location of first aid kit(s) and emergency gear,
• local and weather hazards,
• paddling signals, and
• allow time for questions.

Float Plan

A float plan must be left with a responsible person who can share the information with the authorities in the event the group does not check-in on time.

A good float plan includes:

• names of all participants and leaders,
• participants’ and leaders’ skill levels,
• description of the boats and other equipment,
• description of the vehicles,
• put-in and take-out locations, and
• time of departure and expected return.

Paddle Canada recommends that clubs, organizations and commercial operators develop trip schedules/plans (websites, online or offline, etc.) with mechanisms for reporting (pre-trip and post-trip) that mirrors the float plan. A risk management plan for all excursions, trips and classes on the water should also be established.

Securely Stowed Gear

Anything carried in a watercraft (water bottles, throwbags, dry bags, etc.) needs to be securely stowed so it does not interfere with the participant’s ability to paddle or safely exit the boat.

Note

Paddle Canada encourages Instructors, organizations and guides to document the procedures they follow to meet these requirements.

The above is only a summary of the Guided Excursion Regulations. All Instructors and Instructor Trainers are encouraged to review the Transport Canada Small Vessel Regulations.